Pirate 101 is the latest game from KingsIsle Studio, developers of Wizard 101. The game is currently in closed beta testing but we've got a hands on 'first impressions' look at the game. Read on!

The game begins, of course, with character creation. It’s a fun little romp that begins with players meeting Boochbeard and Gandry. They work with the player to escape from the brig into which they’ve been thrown. It’s a great way to get characters created and players are given a lot of flexibility both in terms of choosing exactly what type of character they want to play as well as a lot of customization in look from hair to facial expression to clothing worn, even to the creation of a player flag. Character names are chosen from a gigantic list of first, middle and last names that can be randomized or individually selected. This keeps a lid on inappropriate names but, believe me, there’s plenty to choose from. Just ask Fearless Catherine Windlass. *grins*

Read more of Suzie Ford's Pirate 101: Lots of Swashbucklin' Fun.

 OOOOOO, turn based combat. *salivate*  Ever since Atlantica veered away from TBS, I've been looking for an MMO that does it  and does it well. I thought W101 was cutesy, but liked it. It was clearly aimed at kids, but much better than Free Realms.

If it goes the same F2P model, I'll prolly add it to my list of games.

Originally posted by Theocritus
      This could be a good game, though I am weary because of Wizard 101.....It was frustrating as heck having so many closed zones in a game and they dont even let you get far enough to know if you like it enough to pay or not.

The thing is, I was okay with the subscription model until they added the ridicilous cash shop. The items in it are expensive and for a P2P game you should be able to earn mounts in the game! Not have to buy them in a cash shop.

Originally posted by Ozmodan
You want a real pirate game, try "Pirates of the Burning Sea" not this poorly thought out game.  For kids try "pirates of the caribbean, pretty simple to play for them.

What?

You have that back to front.

PotBS is poorly thought out and poorly designed garbage.  Without going into detail - I can link pages and pages and pages on this both from MMORPG.com and from other sites too... including devloper comments and even from the developer's own blogs.

KingsIsle on the other hand, do a brilliant job.  Their previous title (Wizard 101) was very well designed and thought out from start to finish. They made one critical mistake (from the design point of view) which they noticed early on... it's not something most gamers have noticed though.  But Wizard 101 and all the subsequent 'add ons' were designed and planned (pets, crafting, player housing)

Comapre that to PotBS which has stumbled along in a drunkard's walk putting things in and taking things out simply because they often had no idea how (or even if!) different elements work together.

@Ozmodan, you have been around long enough to know all this... so what's the deal here?  Why would you make such an obviously wrong statement?

Wizardy 101 was to frustrating with their limitations... 

Really zero interest in this one because of it..

"Level 10 (forget the exact number) and 3 areas" was like a trial, not a free to play game.

if it's anything like wizard 101 then:

1) it's for kids

2) it's for parents who want to spend money for their kids to keep busy

3) it's not a good game and based on the "pay/free 2 win" model

Originally posted by zellmer

Wizardy 101 was to frustrating with their limitations... 

Really zero interest in this one because of it..

"Level 10 (forget the exact number) and 3 areas" was like a trial, not a free to play game.

I love the critics here...

Wizardry is that perma-death game SOE is publishing IIRC... small point... but it brings into question that you know your subject?

However, I do agree that Wizard 101 is NOT a F2P title in the same way that Turbine games (for example) are.

Wizard 101 is a hybrid subscription / Buy by zone model.  Agreed that it is incorrect to lump that in with "Free to Play".

However, it's not "Pay to Win".  It's also not just for kids.  Read reviews, articles and posts on it... a surprising number of adults play it casually too.

Is this going to be for kids hard to say from review?

Ok now I am going to be picky:

"Musketeer: As the name implies, a specialist in firearms and traps."

- Since when have musketeers been known for trap making? Maybe the three musketeers? Or maybe Dogtanian was a master of traps? :D